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Hershey Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 1 lowered, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales up 6.6% in quarter: Net sales were $2,787.3 million. Organic constant currency growth was 3.6%, with net price realization of about 12 points and volume down about 8 points. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 57%: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.90, up 57.0%. Adjusted operating profit was $563.5 million, up 37.3%, with an adjusted margin of 20.2%. Source
  • Salty Snacks volume below expectations: Volume rose about 4 points, described as below expectations. Innovation and velocity gains were partly offset by execution problems on multipacks and Dot’s pretzels. Source
  • International swung to a segment loss: International net sales were $225.9 million, up 5.7%. Segment loss was $5.1 million, a decrease of $24.9 million, on higher raw material, manufacturing and advertising costs. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin rose 350 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 41.6%. Net price realization, lower net commodity costs and productivity savings more than offset higher logistic expenses and unfavorable mix. Source
  • Price gains came with lower volume: Net price realization of about 12 points came with volume down about 8 points. The company attributes this mainly to elasticity in Confectionery and International, partly offset by Salty Snacks. Source
  • Four ranges narrowed, not withdrawn: Net sales, organic, reported EPS and adjusted EPS growth ranges were narrowed rather than withdrawn. The company describes the change as narrowing. Source

“We delivered a strong first half, with reported net sales up 8.7%, organic net sales up 5.8% and meaningful earnings recovery.”

Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth Source2026 full year4.5% to 5%Raised from 4% to 5%
Organic net sales growth Source2026 full year3% to 3.5%Raised from 2.5% to 3.5%
Reported EPS growth Source2026 full year82% to 89%Raised from 79% to 89%
Adjusted EPS growth Source2026 full year32.5% to 35%Raised from 30% to 35%
Adjusted EPS, dollars Source2026 full year (projected)$8.36 - $8.52Raised from $8.20 - $8.52
Reported EPS, dollars Source2026 full year (projected)$7.89 - $8.17
Effective tax rate Source2026 full year25% to 27%Kept
Other expense Source2026 full year$10 millionLowered from $15 million to $20 million
Interest expense Source2026 full year$200 million to $210 millionKept
Capital expenditures Source2026 full year$425 million to $475 millionKept
Advancing Agility & Automation savings Source2026 full year$100 millionKept
Acquisition and integration-related EPS Source2026 full year (projected)$0.18 - $0.25

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Net sales and organic growth ranges narrowed. Low ends rose, top ends unchanged. The company describes the change as narrowing. Source
  • Guidance raised: Reported and adjusted EPS growth ranges narrowed. Low ends rose, top ends unchanged. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Other expense expectation reduced to about $10 million from $15 million to $20 million. Source
  • Guidance kept: Tax rate, interest expense, capital expenditures and savings expectations are the same as in the prior release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales up 6.6% in quarter: Net sales were $2,787.3 million. Organic constant currency growth was 3.6%, with net price realization of about 12 points and volume down about 8 points. Source
  • Reported profit lifted by derivative gains: Reported operating profit was $642.6 million, up 233.3%. Management said the reported margin increase reflects favorable derivative mark-to-market gains. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 57%: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.90, up 57.0%. Adjusted operating profit was $563.5 million, up 37.3%, with an adjusted margin of 20.2%. Source
  • Items affecting comparability were a net charge: GAAP results included items negatively impacting comparability of $79.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, including $102.9 million of pre-tax derivative mark-to-market gains. Source

Segments and regions

  • Confectionery sales grew on price: North America Confectionery net sales were $2,173.6 million, up 4.2%. Price was about 14 points and volume fell about 10 points on elasticity and shipment variability. Source
  • Confectionery segment margin reached 32.5%: Segment income was $705.8 million, up 40.1%. Higher net price, lower commodity costs and supply chain savings drove the gain, partly offset by higher logistic expenses. Source
  • LesserEvil drove Salty Snacks sales: Salty Snacks net sales were $387.8 million, up 22.9%. Organic growth was 0.6%, and segment income fell 5.9% to $62.6 million with a 16.1% margin. Source
  • Salty Snacks volume below expectations: Volume rose about 4 points, described as below expectations. Innovation and velocity gains were partly offset by execution problems on multipacks and Dot’s pretzels. Source
  • International swung to a segment loss: International net sales were $225.9 million, up 5.7%. Segment loss was $5.1 million, a decrease of $24.9 million, on higher raw material, manufacturing and advertising costs. Source

“With cost visibility and operating flexibility, we are well positioned to navigate dynamic markets and deliver on our full-year financial commitments,”

Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer

Products, takeaway and customers

  • Confectionery takeaway rose in period: Candy, mint and gum retail takeaway rose over the 12 weeks to July 19, 2026. That period excludes the Easter shift. Source
  • Salty snacks gained market share: Salty snack retail takeaway excluding LesserEvil grew over the 12 weeks to June 28, 2026, adding to market share gains. Source
  • Trade spend cut Salty Snacks price: Net price realization in Salty Snacks was about 3 points lower, from higher trade investment behind new item launches. Source

Costs, gross margin and pricing

  • Reported gross margin up sharply: Reported gross margin was 45.3%, up 1,480 basis points. Derivative mark-to-market gains and net price realization were among the drivers, with lower net commodity costs. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin rose 350 basis points: Adjusted gross margin was 41.6%. Net price realization, lower net commodity costs and productivity savings more than offset higher logistic expenses and unfavorable mix. Source
  • Advertising spend fell, other SM&A rose: Advertising and consumer marketing fell 3.3% on efficiencies and media timing in Confectionery. Selling, marketing and administrative expense excluding advertising rose 6.0% on capability and technology investment. Source
  • Adjusted tax rate fell: Adjusted effective tax rate was 24.2%, down 860 basis points, reflecting a prior-year tax reserve increase. Reported rate was 22.2%, down from a year earlier. Source

“We enter the second half with momentum, compelling growth plans, and increased investment behind our brands, merchandising, and innovation.”

Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and pricing elasticity

  • Price gains came with lower volume: Net price realization of about 12 points came with volume down about 8 points. The company attributes this mainly to elasticity in Confectionery and International, partly offset by Salty Snacks. Source
  • Retailer restocking cushioned Confectionery volume: Confectionery volume fell about 10 points on elasticity and shipment variability, partly offset by retailer inventory replenishment. Source
  • International pricing actions lifted price: International price realization was about 10 points from strategic pricing across key markets. Volume fell about 8%, partly offset by stronger demand in Brazil and the UK. Source

Capital, cash and balance sheet

  • Cash declined and short-term debt rose: Cash and cash equivalents were $791.2 million at June 28, 2026, down from $925.9 million at December 31, 2025. Short-term debt rose to $421.5 million. Source
  • Inventories and receivables increased: Inventories rose to $1,743.3 million and trade receivables to $907.4 million from year-end. Accounts payable rose to $1,400.8 million. Source
  • Equity slightly lower, assets higher: Total stockholders’ equity was $4,562.7 million, down from $4,636.8 million at year-end. Total assets rose to $13,973.1 million. Source

Full-year guidance update

  • Four ranges narrowed, not withdrawn: Net sales, organic, reported EPS and adjusted EPS growth ranges were narrowed rather than withdrawn. The company describes the change as narrowing. Source
  • Derivative gains excluded from projected adjusted EPS: Projected adjusted EPS excludes commodity derivative mark-to-market gains and losses, because the company cannot forecast the market changes. Source
  • Projected reported EPS range reset: Projected reported diluted EPS range moved, with the low end raised and the top end lowered. Projected business realignment and acquisition costs are included. Source

Strategy, investment and programs

  • Savings program targets cost reduction: The Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative began in Q1 2024 to improve supply chain and manufacturing spend and automate processes, with severance and third-party costs recorded. Source
  • LesserEvil and Sour Strips integration costs: Acquisition and integration costs in the quarter covered LesserEvil integration into Salty Snacks and Sour Strips integration into Confectionery, including contingent consideration remeasurement. Source
  • Corporate expense up on technology spend: Unallocated corporate expense was $199.7 million, up 11.2%. Continued capability and technology investment more than offset lower incentive compensation. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Live Q&A session at 8:30 a.m.: Live question and answer session with investors and financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on the release day. Source
  • Pre-recorded management discussion posted: A pre-recorded management discussion of the quarter and business update to be posted to the investor website at 7:00 a.m. Eastern. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Hershey U.S. candy, mint and gum retail takeaway, 12 weeks to July 19, 2026 (MULO+ w/ Convenience) Source+3.7%
Hershey U.S. salty snacks retail takeaway excluding LesserEvil, 12 weeks to June 28, 2026 (MULO+ w/ Convenience) Source+6.5%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Supply limitations were cited as a reason Salty Snacks organic sales trailed retail takeaway, along with a planned cut in private label sales. Source
  • Demand: Hershey’s candy, mint and gum share declined versus the prior year, which the company attributes to increased competitive innovation. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management refers to delivering on its full-year financial commitments, without stating progress against them. Source
  • Not stated: The savings figure is listed again in the full-year guidance, unchanged from the prior release. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.